Gujarat High Court Permits Alleged Minor Rape Victim Insisting Termination Of Pregnancy 'At Her Own Risk'; Medical Board Immune From Any Litigation

The Gujarat High Court on Friday permitted an alleged rape victim (minor), who insisted to terminate her pregnancy of 19 weeks and 4 days despite the risks cited by the Medical Board, to do so at her own risk.

Justice Ilesh J. Vora presiding the Court said that the doctors constituting the Medical Board will remain immune in the event of any litigation arising in this matter. It observed,

"It is clarified to the learned advocate for the petitioner and the petitioner also about the risk factors involved and that petitioner shall undergo the procedure of medical termination of pregnancy at her own risk. It is further made clear that the doctors, who have put their opinion on record, shall have the immunity in the event of occurrence of any litigation arising out of the instant Petition."

The court ordered the Medical Superintendent/Senior Gynecologist of the General Hospital in the district to arrange for the procedure of medical termination of pregnancy of the petitioner at the earliest.